Alleged irregularities in the relocation of 32 Talewadi families from Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary have prompted a government inquiry, as several ineligible beneficiaries received compensation while rightful landowners were overlooked.
Belagavi
Grave irregularities have come to light in the relocation of 32 families from Talewadi hamlet in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Khanapur taluk, carried out by the forest department in January this year. Sources allege that several beneficiaries who received government compensation did not own land, rendering them ineligible under relocation norms. The state government has already recommended an inquiry into the alleged irregularities.
More than 56 families from Talewadi, which falls under Gavali revenue village, had applied for relocation years ago. The district-level committee, headed by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, approved compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to 32 families. Of these, 27 families received their first instalment in May. It has now emerged that most of these beneficiaries were not eligible.
According to the Wildlife Protection Act and NTCA guidelines, only forest dwellers residing within protected areas, who voluntarily surrender their land and property after due verification, are entitled to priority compensation. Their land is then transferred to the forest department and officially declared part of the protected area.
However, at least 10 beneficiaries did not own any land. They were residing on private property belonging to one MM Suresh, who had earlier sought diversion of forest land in Hassan district for a stone quarry project. As part of the clearance, he purchased non-forest land in Talewadi for compensatory afforestation, which was transferred to his name in June last year.
Among the remaining 17 compensated families, many continue to reside on Gramthana within the village, while nearly 30 families who actually owned land with proper records were overlooked.
MLA Abhay Patil, who has been pursuing the matter, stated that he gathered substantial evidence of irregularities. “I raised the issue before the legislative assembly’s estimate committee, following which an inquiry has been initiated,” he said.